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Belinda Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
COMMUNITIES in Esigodini and surrounding areas are living in fear of attacks by gold panners who have gained notoriety through violent criminal activities, terrorising villagers, robbing them and killing cattle through pits they dig as they look for gold, an official has said.
Speaking during a Zanu-PF Umzingwane Constituency thank you rally which was held at Esibomvu yesterday, legislator, Rtd Brigadier-General Levi Mayihlome expressed concern over criminal activities by some gold panners saying that they were not only killing each other, but were also terrorising villagers in their homes.
“We are aware that there are some notorious gold panners who go around bullying people in their homes. They did that twice last week at Ethandweni in Ward 18 where they threw stones at villagers and assaulted some of them. Now they do not wage war among themselves but with the community.”
Cde Mayihlome said the gold panners were going around killing cattle through pit snare.
“They are digging up pits making snares for cattle, I lost about 10 cattle that fell into the pits dug by gold panners. We would like to let them know that we are watching them and there is nowhere to hide,” he said.
In a side interview with Sunday News, Chief Sigola said they were being robbed of their peace in their own community through such activities.
“We do not have peace and we are afraid even to walk in the evening. These people are very dangerous as they are attacking villagers in their homes. We need police who will walk around in disguise without putting on uniforms that is how these people can be caught,” he said.
The celebrations were held to thank the constituency for their votes for the MP, councillors and President Mnangagwa during the 30 July elections.
Thousands of people attended the celebrations. Rtd Brig Mayihlome gave an update of the projects saying he was confident that hundreds of jobs would be created, adding that his office was open and people should be free to tell him their concerns.
@MoyoOlivet
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